The Ina Coolbrith Circle meeting features poet David Alpaugh, in a reading and talk, "Let There Be Light (Verse)!" on the light verse and the work of Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, Ogden Nash, and Dorothy Parker, Lafayette/Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette, 2:00 (www.coolpoetry.org)

Paulette Jiles reads from her new novel, News of the World, longlisted for the National Book Award in Fiction, Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, free, 4:00 (415/927-0960, www.bookpassage.com)

Bay Area Generations presents writers of different generations in pairs through its submission-based reading series, curated by Amos White and Sherry Wilson, submissions for this reading closed January 1, see guidelines on their website, full bar, Hotel Rex, 562 Sutter Street, San Francisco, $7/$10 admission with chapbook of work by the readers, doors open 7:00, show 7:30 (Hotel Rex: 415/433-4434, bayareagenerations.com)

Susan Sherman reads from her second novel, If You Are There, set in early 1900s Paris and featuring the great Marie and Pierre Curie, Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, free, 7:00 (415/927-0960, www.bookpassage.com)